Thursday, January 18, 2007

Somebody talk me down

Well folks, it's Thursday once again. You know what that means: freak-out about foster care day.

Actually we did not have a visit with Z's mom today. Instead we had a visit at home from the case supervisor. We have not met her before because apparently this is a new thing, this idea that perhaps there should be a caseworker who we can contact consistently throughout the entire process and have her know what is going on. Imagine!

So, she's nice and all. But she's brutally honest. She thinks Z's mom is doing really well and has a good chance of getting Z back.

DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sometimes I think people forget that the system is supposed to be on the side of the child, not the messed-up parents!

Z's mom, let's remember, is in inpatient rehab. So of course she's doing great. She doesn't have to deal with life. She doesn't have to deal with her druggie friends, dysfunctional mother, financial realities. Honestly, I am just extremely skeptical about her ability to stay clean long term. I'd be happy to see her succeed. But it seems so unlikely that it will last long-term, and I am loath to put Z at that kind of risk.

The case supervisor also said she thinks this inpatient program is for 6 months. That is a LONG time to be in inpatient! Going back to the time someone I know was in an inpatient program, it was 30 days and it cost that person's family in the neighborhood of $30k, if I remember correctly. And that was 15 years ago.

So who pays for 6 months of inpatient rehab for meth addicts? Anyone? Anyone?

Oh yes, that's right, it is you and me, the American taxpayers. At least that is what this social worker told me. And we do it so they can take their babies back from good stable homes and then go back to using whenever they feel like it.

Not patient with the system today ...

5 comments:

Denise said...

That's some serious suckage, A. I think there's a point where they just have to say, "ENOUGH!" I'm so sorry. I'm still crossing my fingers that Z will be part of your family permanently.

Victoria said...

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} and prayers my friend

SalGal said...

I'm thinking that the social worker just doesn't want you to get your hopes up about Z on the snowball's chance in hell that her mom will stay clean and get her back so she's trying to discourage you.

(((((hugs)))))

angie said...

I am so sorry. That whole situation is just wrong!

Anonymous said...

We went through this with our little guy for 2 1/2 yrs. The state paid for everything. I won't even get into my feelings for that. The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. Our little boy was finally able to be adopted by us when he was 33 months old. It does and can happen, but the process can be a long and arduous one. Hang in there. Try to endure the rough days and believe there are better days to come. Hugs and prayers and positive thoughts being sent your way!